Clyde M. Frazier, Jr.

(29 February 1920 – 5 May 1942)
2nd Lt., Clyde M. Frazier, Jr. (serial# 0-417210) was a pilot in the 58th Bombardment Squadron of the 5th Bombardment Group, in the U. S. Army Air Corps (AAF), during World War II.  He died on May 5th, 1942 when his airplane crashed during a training exercise at Hickam Field, Hawaii.

EARLY LIFE
Clyde Frazier, Jr. was born on 29 February 1920 in Wynona, Oklahoma; and he was raised in the neighboring town of Hominy, in Osage County.

His father Clyde M. Frazier, Sr. and his mother Dovie Frazier had a total of five children; one daughter and four sons.   Together, they started a well-respected family business in 1916; which operated in Hominy for several years, with the help of all of the children.

Clyde Jr. graduated from Hominy High School, and he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hominy.  After high school, he attended Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, for 2 1/2 years.  His academic career is noteworthy, for his membership of the “All-State College Football Team” during his second year.

ENLISTMENT IN THE U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS
Frazier enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps (AAF), on 16 October 1940; and quickly reported for training.  At the time of his enlistment, he was reported to be tall and lean, at a height of 72 inches and 163 lbs.

He received his wings and commission at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, on 29 May 1941.  As a 2nd Lieutenant, Frazier served as a Pilot on a B-17 “Flying Fortress” and on an A-20-8, light attack bomber; in the 58th Bomber Squadron of the 5th Bomber Group.  He was stationed at Hickam Field, at the time of attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941.

During the infamous attack, Frazier’s group suffered heavy losses in men and equipment, including several B-17’s.  During the re-organization following Pearl Harbor, the 5th Bomber Group was assigned to the 7th Air Force, based on Hawaii.  It remained there until November 1942, when the group transferred to the 13th Air Force, to take part in the campaign in the Solomon Islands.   However, Lt. Frazier would not live long enough to join his squadron there.

2nd Lt. Clyde M. Frazier, Jr. died 5 May 1942, when his airplane crashed during a training exercise at Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii.  He is listed as DNB (Died Non Battle).  Frazier was 22 years old.

Frazier’s death underscores the dangers these men were enduring, participating in the Pacific war.  In fact, there were many casualties just from the massive movement of men and machinery to the front line.  His death in a so-called training exercise in a war zone, and not from an enemy’s bullet, did not make the loss any less traumatic.  Indeed, Frazier’s death seems even more tragic, under these circumstances.

MEMORIAL
A favorite son of Hominy, and being from a respected local family; Lt. Frazier’s death was a noted tragedy at the time…a tragedy that resonated through the entire community.

2nd. Lt. Frazier was the first known service member from Hominy, Oklahoma to die in the line of duty, during World War II.  His sacrifice was later honored by his hometown, when his name was permanently added next to the name of Pvt. Andrew Blackwell (who died during the First World War);  and the local Legion post in Hominy was formally re-named the Blackwell-Frazier American Legion Post 142.
As a testament to the character of Lt. Frazier and his family, the post’s name remains unchanged to this day…..70 years later.

2nd Lt. Frazier is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific,
2177 Puowaina Drive, in Honolulu, HI.  His grave is in Plot A-95.

Sadly, he would NOT be the last war casualty from Hominy.

FRAZIER’S FAMILY
The following is a list of 2nd Lt. Frazier’s immediate family at the time of his death.
It is based on census information, related obituaries, and other databases.

(Note: Frazier’s parents and brothers are buried in the A.J. Powell Memorial Cemetery in Hominy, OK.
Available photographs of family headstones may be viewed
by clicking on the cross ” † “ following each associated name.)

PARENTS
Clyde M. Frazier, Sr. (30 December 1895 – 31 May 1964)  †
Father; long time business owner in Hominy, OK

Dovie Mae (Coffman) Frazier (21 May 1898 – 22 May 1964)
Mother

SIBLINGS
Doris M. (Frazier) Gould (22 November 1921 – 25 January 2010)
Sister

Herman R. Frazier (18 November 1923 – 17 September 2001)  †  †
Brother; He was also a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Army,
in the European Theater and the Korean Conflict receiving the Purple Heart and Bronze star.  He was a proud member of the American Legion.

James C. Frazier (9 October 1928 – 20 October 1997)  †
Brother; He was also a veteran, a Major who served in the Korean conflict.

William L. Frazier (1 October 1931 – 6 March 2009)  †
Brother

Reference: “Oklahoma War Memorial-World War II, Part IV”; Chronicles of Oklahoma from 1944, page 246.

Please note: this article is still being researched.  If you can help with any information about Lt. Frazier, please contact the American Legion Post 142.